Ronan girls had their highest scoring game of the season, but so did Columbia Falls, which meant the Lady Wildkats defeated the Maidens 68-65 to end their season at the Western A Divisional Tournament on Saturday, March 8.

Even in the loss, Ronan shined as they had all season.

"Overall, we had a successful season," Ronan Head Coach Steve Woll said. "We just came away three points shy of our goal of reaching the state tournament. I felt we were playing our best ball right before we all got sick, but I thought we finally got our legs back at the tournament."

The game was a close shave the entire way, with the Maidens leading 30-29 at halftime, and the Wildkats taking a two-point lead in the third quarter. Columbia Falls was able to get past the Maidens by three points and end the Maidens’ 2025 campaign with a 12-9 record.

Maddy Illig and Arianna Zepeda each had a career-high 16 points, while Zailee Hewankorn added 11 points, and Nevaeh Perez had nine points.

"I felt teamwork and togetherness were keys when we were being successful," Woll said. "Sharing the ball, rebounding and team defense were always key points for us, as well as eliminating turnovers."

Woll added there is a good nucleus coming back next year, with seven of the 11 players that were fielded in the divisional tournament returning, but also big shoes to fill as four seniors gradate.

"Our four seniors will be missed, but boy it was a good ride while it lasted," Woll said. "Memories that last a lifetime."

Maidens stay alive with win over Butte Central

The Lady Maroons stood little chance after the third quarter, and Ronan found its scoring mojo and took down Butte Central in the Western A Divisional Tournament on Friday, March 7, in Whitefish by a score of 56-30.

The game was low-scoring and close to begin with, as Ronan held a slim 15-14 advantage at halftime. The Maidens then outscored the Lady Maroons 20-5 in the third quarter and added 10 points to their advantage in the fourth quarter.

Coach Steve Woll said the team, which hadn’t had a full team or staff since the game on Feb. 15 against Browning, had hoped “to get healthy for the divisional tournament."

“We knew we had a shot if we could get to divisionals. Everyone is 0-0 and that's why you play the games. It's all about who handles distractions the best,” he said. “Survive and advance."

Nevaeh Perez posted 11 points, while Kailyn Marengo and Zailee Hewankorn each added eight points. Ally Luedtke scored seven for the Maidens as well.

The loss ended Butte Central’s season at 7-15.

Ronan opens tournament with loss to Dillon

The South’s No. 2 seed, Dillon, held Ronan to one point in the first quarter en route to a 59-29 victory in the opening round of the Western A Divisional Tournament on Thursday, March 6.

Although Dillon is really good, losing just one game this regular season, Ronan couldn’t quite find the scoring rubric for this puzzle.

Dillon led 34-12 at halftime, and while the Maidens outscored the Lady Beavers 14-12 in the third quarter, Dillon ended the game on a 13-3 run.

Nevaeh Perez led Ronan with seven points, while Maddy Illig and Kailyn Marengo each had six points, and Zailee Hewankorn scored five points.

At Whitefish

COLUMBIA FALLS 68, RONAN 65

Ronan - 15 - 15 - 13 - 22 - 65

C-Falls - 14 - 15 - 16 - 23 - 68

RONAN SCORING: Maddy Illig 16, Arianna Zepeda 16, Zailee Hewankorn 11, Nevaeh Perez 9, Natalie Adams 6, Lauryn Buhr 5, Kylee Kelch 3, Kailyn Marengo 2, Dallas St.Goddard 2

RONAN 56, BUTTE CENTRAL 30

ButteC - 5 - 9 - 5 - 11 - 30

Ronan - 6 - 9 - 20 - 21 - 56

RONAN SCORING: Nevaeh Perez 11, Kailyn Marengo 8, Zailee Hewankorn 8, Ally Luedtke 7, Maddy Illig 6, Kylee Kelch 6, Arianna Zepeda 4, Lauryn Buhr 3, Natalie Adams 3

DILLON 59, RONAN 29

Ronan - 1 - 11 - 14 - 3 - 29

Dillon - 14 - 20 - 12 - 13 - 59

RONAN SCORING: Nevaeh Perez 7, Maddy Illig 6, Kailyn Marengo 6, Zailee Hewankorn 5, Natalie Adams 3, Lauryn Buhr 2

    Ronan's Neveah Perez looks to score in the lane against a Dillon defender in the opening game of last weekend's Western A Divisional Tournament in Whitefish. (Kaleb Unger/Leader)